Now that Trump has suggested using the US military to put down protests in 2020, it is time to remember the Bonus Army of 1932. This was one of the most significant events in US history, in which the military was used to quell a protest by US citizens.
The impetus for this effort was that veterans of WWI were promised a bonus of $500 each for their service. However, the legislation stipulated that this would by paid in 1948.
The Bonus Army began in Oregon, led by former sergeant Walter Waters of Burns, Ore. They wanted to lobby Congress, which was working on a bill to grant immediate bonuses. It is estimated that when these protesters from all over the country converged in D.C., they numbered 43,000 men, women, and children.
They set up camps, which were highly disciplined, and marched around the White House and the Capitol. The Army also included African-American soldiers who had served in WWI, and lived as equals in the camps.
The bonus bill passed in the House, but failed 62-18 in the Senate. At this point many marchers left for home, leaving a contingent of about 10,000 demonstrators. On July 28, 1932, President Hoover wanted to clear these protesters, and called in the D.C. Police. Meeting resistance, they opened fire and killed two Bonus Army members. Hoover then called on the US Army to break up the camps. Gen. Douglas MacArthur moved in with 1000 troops and six light tanks.
The camps were torched, and the smoke could be seen from the White House. Fifty-five were injured and 135 arrested, and they rest fled to their hometowns. Tear gas and smoke bombs were employed, along with a cavalry charge.
In 1936, the Bonus bill was passed by the Congress. In 1944, fearing a similar outbreak after World War 11, Congress passed the GI Bill.
The Bonus Army marched to affirm their First Amendment rights. Today’s protesters are affirming the same rights. To use the military against them would be just as heinous today as it was in 1932. Let us remember our history, move forward to solve the issues of systemic racism and police brutality, and not repeat the mistakes of the past.
JAMES P. FREDA Jr., Beaverton, Ore.
Donald Trump snuck a Bible (in his daughter’s white purse) through a gathering of peaceful protesters in front o fthe White House (that, for some reason, needed to be tear-gassed and compelled to part before him so he could stand in front of St. John’s church and hold up a Bible for all to see. He said nothing and he left. Does this mean he supports the Bible? And, if he does, does he know what it says? Does he swear on it and promise to tell the whole truth, “so help me God”?
Trump claims to be a Christian. One of the basic requirements is to believe what Christ said/says. Does he even know what that is? Lincoln knew and quoted and lived scripture constantly. Trump claims Lincoln and he are practically identical twins. When did anyone ever hear anything approaching Biblical scripture from Trump? When did he ever “turn the other cheek”? (Luke 6;29, for starters.) When was he concerned for the poor, the ill, the dead and dying — even of his own country? He does not even want peace unless it’s “won” by him over those who disagree with him.
These are what everybody/anybody can show. They’re not particularly “Christian” in any sense of the word. To find fault with him in the Biblical department is like “shooting fish in a barrel.”
So what does he have that so lights up the “Evangelicals”? Would they tolerate anything Trump does or says in anyone else for even one second?
For the last several years it seems that the Republican/right’s go-to path for their governing is to counteract everything Democrats/the “left” (really?) wants — as if that proves that their philosophy is thus automatically correct and better for all of us because they are not evil “like everything not them.” They especially enjoy frustrating and distorting opponents’ aspirations with smears and lies and then act like the anger it provokes is totally unreasonable — and “proves they are evil.” Just as he calls people names before a conversation even begins, and then acts shocked that no one seems to like him! What’s that all about?
Well, Bible lovers, open yours up to Isaiah 32 (just one example out of thousands more). Note the words vile, liberal, churl, for starters. Think about it. And remember: to be forgiven, one must first repent — and change. You claim to know and believe the Bible. St. John has much to say about all of this, but one has to read his words. Galatians, also by Paul, is to all Christians (Gal. 3:26), not just one American political party. If we all will notice, the “clincher” for these times of such Divisiveness says “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (3:26) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (3:37) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (3:28) Just knowing and believing this should end a lot of America’s fights about “Who has more rights than the other” or “is better (or worse) than another.” I John is for all Christian believers everywhere, for all times. This is about so much more than American politics. But it will help American politics — which we all need.
Please think on these things.
CHERYL LOVELY, Presque Isle, Maine
The option to vote by mail is a no-brainer. Here in California, we’ve done it for decades. It is especially useful for those of us who live in rural areas, where the nearest polling station is an hour or more away. Mail-in ballots can be postmarked as late as Election Tuesday, to be received and counted that Friday. Mail-ins have sometimes made the difference in elections, as well as other ballot measures within the state.
Recently, Gov. Newsom announced that, because of the pandemic, he wants all California voters to be sent mail-in ballots for November. Republicans in the Legislature immediately began to flap around and squawk that this would violate an election statute that requires that one polling place for every 10,000 voters be open. Another GOP attempt to make suffrage difficult, health hazards be damned.
Trumpster Dumpster contends that voting by mail makes it too easy for voters to “cheat” on their ballots. Horsefeathers! If that were true, it would have been discovered long ago.
BETTY CROWDER, Honeydew, Calif.
Congratulations for Hal Crowther’s excellent article, “Trump is the King of Chaos in the Theater of the Absurd” [7/1-15/20 TPP]. His last sentence hit the nail on the head: “There is no vaccine for stupidity.”
Having taught in high school for 35 years, I can testify that our schools give a high priority to anti-intellectual activities. Academic instruction was constantly disrupted with football pep rallies, competitive sports, social clubs, talent shows, entertainment assemblies, never-ending fund-raisers (71 in one year), dances, carnivals, Halloween costume contests, field trips to Disneyland, ad infinitum.
There is nothing wrong with entertainment activities. However, an entertained and uneducated citizenry cannot sustain a representative democracy. As Dr. King said: “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
GILBERT A. RUBIO, San Diego, Calif.
Just have to thank you for the Hal Crowther cover piece in your 7/1-15/20 issue of The Progressive Populist. nn“Ubu” sums up perfectly my view of the “character” of the current performer occupying the White House. And, I might add, of his remaining boosters, apparently.
What gives? Are nearly 40% of American voters LUNATICS?
JUDITH M. REDDING, Bellevue, Wash.
Trump’s egregious interference with the accepted order of the established state may finally serve to threaten the legitimacy and power of the ruling class, as Nixon’s actions did during Watergate and may result in a similar palace coup.
After all, it was Mark Felt, the No. 2 director of the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover who, as “Deep Throat,” supplied all the necessary information to Woodward and Bernstein, which enabled them to create a coherent narrative of criminality for their Washington Post articles, thus undermining Nixon’s base of support and ultimately making his presidency untenable.
As servile as the current inner circle of the ruling class is to Trump’s narcissistic authoritarianism, many, however, have become increasingly appealed at Trump’s recent proto-fascistic actions and have finally spoken out. One hopes that it’s only a matter of time before the escalation of embarrassing exposés serves to undermine the loyalty of his supporters and divide his inner circle.
Who will be today’s “Deep Throat”?
ROBERT McCALLISTER, Lantana, Fla.
One of Aesop’s Fables is titled, “The Ass in the Lion’s Skin.” It tells of a sly ass that wears a lion’s skin as disguise to frighten a fox.
The ruse, it’s hinted, could have worked, except for one foolish impulse. The jackass couldn’t keep from braying, and thereby betrays himself.
How very like shrewd Donald Trump, who might have passed for at least a mediocre politician. Alas! He simply couldn’t keep himself silent.
It was his incoherent gabble, numerous self-contradictions and a penchant for fibbing that give him away.
WILLIAM DAUENHAUER, Willowick, Ohio
The “‘Enemy Lines” movie review by Ed Rampell [6/15/20 TPP] makes the following statement in the fourth paragraph: “... deadlier than V-2 missiles (which were devastatingly used during the Battle of Britain) ...” The Battle of Britain was engaged from July 10, 1940 to Oct. 31, 1940. The V-2 was first fired Oct. 3, 1942. The initial attack against Britain with V-2 weapons was on Sept. 8, 1944. The final assault with V-2 missiles was on March 27, 1945.
If the V-2 missile system had been in active service in 1940 the unimaginable could have occurred. and the citizens of England would be speaking German today, after their defeat in the Battle of Britain.
THOMAS IMBODEN, Gustavus, Alaska
From The Progressive Populist, August 1, 2020
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